Big news from the United Way of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks & Area

We are pleased to announce that we have surpassed our 2012 fundraising goal of $1,025,000.

Under the volunteer leadership of Dave Willprecht, Community Business Banker at Bremer Bank, and his Campaign Cabinet of nine local community leaders, we raised the most money ever in our 56 year history – $1,035,000!

“Despite some obstacles and a national economic slowdown, Grand Forks and East Grand Forks pulled together and showed once again that we are a wonderful community that cares about, and wants to help out others that are less fortunate than ourselves,” said Willprecht.“I can’t thank everyone enough who volunteered during the successful campaign.”

On average over 200 volunteers assist us during each campaign.

“On behalf of our community nonprofit partner agencies, who receive grants from the campaign, we want to thank all of the volunteers, including those who ran the campaigns at their place of employment, for making this a very successful year,” said United Way Vice President for Resource Development, Shaun Havis.

A contributing factor that helped increase the number of campaign donors was United Way’s introduction of the Imagination Library program last May. Children living in Grand Forks County or the City of East Grand Forks, and ranging in age from birth to 5 years, are eligible to receive a book a month mailed directly to their home.

In addition to the Imagination Library program, funds raised are granted out to 46 nonprofit agencies with 61 programs ranging from providing basic needs such as, food and shelter, to assisting at risk youth and vulnerable adults in the community. For a complete list of agencies receiving funding in 2013, please visit out website.

THANK YOU for supporting United Way!

To learn about what kind of impact your donations are making in the community, pick up a copy of the Saturday, April 6 print edition of the Grand Forks Herald and look for this special insert.